Allergy medications

It is spring time and many people have allergy symptoms. Safe medications for pregnancy and breastfeeding women are always a concern. Here is some information that may help you.

Allergy medications, such as Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Allegra (fexofenadine), and Benadryl (diphenhydramine), do not cause an increased risk for problems in pregnancy.

Nasal sprays, like Flonase (fluticasone) and Nasonex (mometasone), deliver the medication right to the nose and don’t get into the bloodstream as much. They usually have fewer side effects and can also be used in pregnancy, so they are a good option.

Sudafed (phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine) can be used as long as mom doesn’t have high blood pressure.

Allergy medications may get into the milk in small amounts, usually less than 1%, but usually not enough to cause side effects in the infant.

Allergy medications may reduce the milk supply temporarily while the medication is in your system. The milk level will return to normal, if it did go down, after the medication is out of your system; within a few hours.

Allergies, illnesses, lack of sleep, and other stresses may also reduce the milk supply temporarily, so be sure to take care of your overall health.

If you have questions about medications in pregnancy and breastfeeding, visit MotherToBaby.org.